Electing a Pro-Independence Welsh Government

Wales can only become independent if the people choose it. A majority of Welsh voters would need to support independence in a referendum recognised by both the Welsh and UK governments.

The first step is to elect a pro-independence Welsh Government. This could be a single party with a majority or a coalition of parties that support independence. To make this happen, it is important to convince political parties that independence is a realistic and beneficial option.

As of 2025, only one party in the Senedd supports independence. However, this could change. Independence offers a chance to create a more efficient and accountable democracy, and it is an idea that politicians from different parties could support. YesCymru’s supporters come from across the political spectrum, meaning members have an opportunity to influence party policies.

An Independence Referendum

Wales currently does not have the power to call an independence referendum on its own. The UK Parliament would need to approve and pass a law allowing it, and the Senedd would also need to pass its own legislation.

If both governments agree, a referendum bill would be introduced in Westminster. The Electoral Commission would oversee the process, including the wording of the question, campaign rules, and who can vote. The people of Wales would then decide whether to remain part of the UK or become independent.

Not all countries have held referendums before gaining independence. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania left the Soviet Union through parliamentary declarations. Wales could take a similar route under international law, either by a unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) by the Senedd or through negotiations with the UK Government. This was how the Czech Republic and Slovakia separated in 1993 in the "Velvet Divorce."

However, unless the UK Government agreed to Welsh independence, such a move could be considered unconstitutional. This might make it harder to gain international recognition and join organisations like the United Nations.

Negotiations & Transition

If Wales votes for independence, it would not happen overnight. There would be a transition period. Before Scotland’s 2014 independence referendum, the Scottish Government expected this period to last up to 18 months.^[58]

Another example is Brexit. After the 2016 referendum, the UK took three and a half years to leave the EU.

During the transition, negotiations would cover key issues covered elsewhere in this booklet such as currency, cross-border working and living arrangements, the division of state assets, and Wales’ share of the UK’s national debt.

Independence Day

Once an agreement is reached, it would likely be formalised in a treaty or another internationally recognised document.

Under the common law system, laws that existed before independence would still apply unless the new Welsh Government decided to change them.

A fresh Senedd election would then take place, with a new government chosen under the framework of a new constitution. Wales would finally take its place among the independent nations of the world.